Wrapper opener



Oct. 7, 1941; c. J. SMITH EI'AL.

WRAPPER OIUDENER Filed Aug. 30, 1938 I INVENTOVYRIS A TO RN EYS Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE WRAPPER OPENER Charles J. Smith and Arthur W. Nelson, 'Ely,

Minn. 7

Application August 30, 1938, Serial.N0..227',569,

lClaim. (01.229-51) w The invention relates to a wrapper opener and more especially to a device for the cutting or opening of Cellophane wrappings of packaged cigarettes and tobacco as well as other packaged material wrapped with paper or the like.

per so that it can be quickly and easily removed from the package.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein the same is novel in its construction and application to the wrapper of a package of material, particularly moisture-proof wrappers, such as Cellophane or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, which is extremely simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efilcient in operation, enabling the wrapper to be removed With dispatch from a package, easy of operation, manually actuated, strong, durable and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred and modified forms of embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package showing a Cellophane wrapper thereon with the device constructed in accordance with the invention applied and partially actuated for the severing of the wrapper.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the wrapped package showing the device in its normal position, the package being partly broken away.

Figure 3 is an elevation partly broken away.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. 4

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 showing a slight modification.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of device removed from the wrapper.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the device in Figure lapplied.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of runner piece for the device.

Figure 10 is an elevation of a still further modification.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, particularly Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, A designates generally the device constructed in accordance with the invention and B an outside wrapper for a package. This wrapper B is preferably made from Cellophane and seals the package about which it has been wrapped.

The device A comprises a substantially elliptical shaped runner plate I0 preferably made from stiff fiat sheet material, such as sheet metal or cardboard, and is provided with spaced apertures H at its longitudinal center for the threading therethrough of the ends of a Wire bail or finger yoke 12, the ends 13 being folded inwardly toward each other against the innermost face of the runner it after being passed through the apertures l I therein and also through suitable clearances, as at 14, provided in the wrapper, preferably located at one end edge of a package bearing the said Wrapper B. The runner is located inside of the wrapper B while the bail or yoke intermediate its ends l3 has a major portion thereof outside of said wrapper so that this portion outside of the wrapper can be engaged by the fingers of the hand of a person and by pulling upon the bail or yoke the said wrapper will be severed along the lines l5 and. in this fashion the wrapper is cut or severed to permit of its easy removal from the ackage sealed within the same.

In Figure 6 of the drawing there is shown a slight modification wherein the bail or yoke 16 is carried at its ends through suitable clearances in the wrapper ll with the ends I8 turned inwardly against the inner face of the wrapper with the major intermediate portion of the yoke or bail I6 exposed exteriorly of said wrapper. The bail or yoke when manipulated will sever the wrapper similarly to the device hereinbefore set forth.

The bail or yoke I6 is piece of round wire.

In Figure 7 of the drawing there is shown a further modification of a bail or yoke wherein the same is made from a flat strip of metal I9,

made from a single its ends 20 being folded or turned as before set forth with respect to the bail or yoke l6.

In Figure 8 of the drawing the ball or yoke I9 is carried through the wrapper 20 with the ends folded onto a runner 2| which is disposed against the inner side of the wrapper. The bail or yoke I9 is passed through suitable openings in the wrapper 20 and the runner 21.

In Figure 9 of the drawing there is shown a modified form of runner wherein its body 22 is notched at 23 at opposite ends for accommodating the bail or yoke which is trained through the notches 23 instead of being threaded or passed through apertures provided in the body of the runner as hereinbefore set forth.

The bail or yoke, either by itself or in association with the runner, can be located at any of the sides of the package and when engaged with the wrapper in the manner as before set forth will enable the quick severing of the wrapper for its removal from the package.

In Figure 10 of the drawing there is shown a still further modification wherein the ball 24 has the ends 25 pointing in opposite directions.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a package having a fragile wrapper therearound, a runner plate between the package and the wrapper, a bail having its ends passing through openings in the wrapper and turned laterally loosely engaging the inner face of the runner plate in non-clamping relation therewith, whereby the bail may be gripped and moved transversely of the length thereof for cutting two spaced parallel slits in the wrapper.

CHARLES J. SMITH. ARTHUR W. NELSON. 

